Erik Brown, left, and Maricio Sanchez, right, break up a pass intended for Earon Holmes during University of Texas at San Antonio football team practice at Farris Stadium, Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012. UTSA is 3-0 for the season. less

Erik Brown, left, and Maricio Sanchez, right, break up a pass intended for Earon Holmes during University of Texas at San Antonio football team practice at Farris Stadium, Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012. UTSA is 3-0 ... more

Photo: Jerry Lara, San Antonio Express-News

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Cornerback Erik Brown goes through dirlls during University of Texas at San Antonio football team practice at Farris Stadium, Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012. UTSA is enjoying an early 3-0 record.

Cornerback Erik Brown goes through dirlls during University of Texas at San Antonio football team practice at Farris Stadium, Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012. UTSA is enjoying an early 3-0 record.

Photo: Jerry Lara, San Antonio Express-News

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Safety Brian Kings prepares for drills during the University of Texas at San Antonio football team practice at Farris Stadium, Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012.

Safety Brian Kings prepares for drills during the University of Texas at San Antonio football team practice at Farris Stadium, Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012.

Photo: Jerry Lara, San Antonio Express-News

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UTSA turning turnovers into TDs

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If opportunity calls, the UTSA Roadrunners usually answer with a touchdown.

Undefeated UTSA has scored nearly half its points this season on drives following a turnover.

“That's an attitude thing and something we are stressing along with tempo for our offense,” Roadrunners coach Larry Coker said.

As UTSA prepares to take on Northwestern Oklahoma State on Saturday at the Alamodome, the Roadrunners have come to understand that such “attitude” is one of the key elements of their 3-0 record.

It all starts with a swarming defense that has helped to force 10 turnovers.

From there, the offense has seized on the momentum and scored on seven of those drives — twice on field goals and five times with touchdowns.

In all, UTSA has scored 41 of the team's 98 total points in those bang-bang moments of a game that seem to take the life out of the opposing team.

“It starts in practice,” UTSA cornerback Erik Brown said. “My position coach (Nathaniel Jones), he gets on me to try to get in there and try to create a turnover, force a fumble — something. It's just basically how we practice.”

Against South Alabama, the Roadrunners scored 20 points off Jaguars turnovers.

They added seven points against Texas A&M-Commerce two weeks ago and 14 against Georgia State with the same formula, capitalizing when a momentum-changing play goes their way.

Against Georgia State, two UTSA takeaways resulted in 14 straight points in a span of four minutes in the third quarter.

The first turnover came off a hustle play by Brown, who chased down tailback Donald Russell after a 28-yard run and poked out the ball. Darrien Starling recovered.

“In practice, we have a drill where we get the left arm over (the runner) and then punch out the ball from the back,” Brown said. “That's exactly what I did. It was just like practice.”

The second came on an interception by Brian King, one of six on the season for the Roadrunners. King returned it 30 yards to the 11.

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Capitalizing on turnovers

UTSA has made its first three opponents pay for their mistakes, scoring after seven of 10 turnovers. Of the Roadrunners’ 98 points, 41 have followed one of those mistakes: